Metal-straightening apparatus



June` 8 1926.

W. R. SMITH METAL STRAIGHTENING PPARATUS Flled May 29, 1924 Patented June 8, 1926.

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WILLlEAM R. SMITH, OF TGPEKA, KANSAS.

METAL-STRAIGl-TENXNG APEARTUS.

Application filed. May 2.9,

This invention relates to vcertain improvements in metal straightening apparatus and has relation more particularly to a device oit this general character ot a roll type and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved apparatus oit this kind especially designed and adapted for use in flattening or reclaiming printing plates or the lilre.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved apparatus of this general character comprising two superimposed rolls the peripheries of which being substantially in close contact and between which the material to be flattened is adapted to be passed together with means associated with one of the rolls for maintaining the work to be operated upon in proper position with respect tothe rolls.

Another object ot the invention is to provide a novel and improved deviceI of this `general character especially designed and adapted for use in connection with printing plates or the like connected to provide a chain like structure so that the plates to be treated may be successively passed with substantial speed between suitably mounted pressure rolls.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement ot the several parts of my improved metal straightening apparatus whereby certain important advantages are attained and the d evice rendered simpler7 less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous tor use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be delinitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, l will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein :m

Figure l is a view in side elevation illustrating an apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the apparatus as herein set orth;

Figure 3 is a :fragmentary view in elevation opposite to that illustrated in Figure l;

Figure l is a 'fragmentary sectional view illustratingv a detail of the invention as herein comprised.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, my improved apparatus comprises a 1924. Serial No. 716,730.

pair of upstanding and suitably disposed supports l between which are arranged the' rolls R and R ot requisite dimensions, said rolls at similar ends thereof having disposed tlierearound and formed therewith the intermeshing gears 2 whereby'said rolls R and lt may be caused to rotate in unison. The roll R or R immediately adjacent to the gear has disposed circumterentially therearound a groove 3 whereby the working pe 1iphery of each of said rolls is spaced 'from the gear so that no hindrance or obstruction may be offered by such gear.

7Ehe lower roll R is supported for rotation upon the stud-or anlel provided with the journals 5 engaged with the supports l. The roll R is mounted upon the stud or axle 6 provided with the eccentric journals 7 disposed through the supports 1. By rotation ot the stud or axle 6 the roll It may be adjusted with respect to the roll R as the necessities ot practice may require and particularly to regulate the pressure imposed upon the work passing between the rolls R and R.

My improved apparatus as herein disclosed is particularly designed for use in' connection with that type of printing plates noerein the characters are embossed or simarea of the periphery of the roll R between adjacent grooves or channels 8 closely approximating the area of the major or body.

portion of a plate l?.

the strip of connected plates P is passed between the rolls R and R the characters on the plates are flattened out so that said plates can be employed again with new characters produced thereon.

Extending laterally from one ot the supports l and preferably adjacent to the bite oi the rolls R and lt is an arm 10, said arm being substantially perpendicular to the plane common to the aires of both of the rolls lt and lt. Rotate-bly supported by the outer end portion ot the arm 10 is a gear 11 meshing with the gear .2 of the roll R', said gear ll having a trunnion l2 extending vgaged therewith through the arm Y10 and to which tnunnion, as Vherein disclosed, is aiiixed an operating handle 14. Upon requisite turning of the handle let, the rolls Rand R may caused to have requisite rotation for action upon a strip of plates or the like passing therebetween.

lVhile I have herein disclosed my 'improved machine .as of l.a type for manual operation it is to be .understood that if preferred .suitable means may be associated with the gear 11 to Operate the sam-e by power.

The arm 10 has its inner end portion engaged within a .transversely .disposed groove 15 produced in the outer face of its associated support 1 and such inner .end portion of the .arm 10 is provided with a longitudinally disposed slot 16 through which is directed a holding nut 17 in engagement with a support 1. By this means the arm 10 may be longitudinally adjusted as required to maintain the desired engagement .of ,the gear ll with the gear 2 of the roll R.

As particularly illustrated in Figure 4 the grooves or channels `8 are produced in a removable ring `or rim so that the same can be readily replaced when unduly worn or otherwise unfit for use, the same being keyed, as at 1,8, or otherwise held in applied position. This same arrangement may also be employed in connection with the second .or .upper roll R if desired.

One of the supports 1 has pivotally enat transversely spaced points 19 the extremities of the downwardly diverging arms 2O constantly urged one toward the other through the means of an nterposed retractile member 21 herein disclosed as a coil spring. The outer or free end portion of one of the arms 20 carries a roller 22 the periphery of which being smooth and unobstructed from end to end, said roller bearing down upon and having contact upon the strip after the same has passed between the rolls R and R and at a predetermined point below the bite of such rolls whereby the functioning of the apparatus is materially facilitated.

The outer or free end portion of the second arm 2O rotatably supports a roller 23 provided at its ends with the outstanding flanges 24, one of said flanges projecting within the groove 3 of the roll R while the opposite iiange 241 overlies the outer face of said roll. The strip of material passes under the roller 23 before passing between the rolls R and R and this roller 23 operates effectively to maintain the strip in desired working position as it travels toward the bite of such and facility with which it may be .assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason l do not wish to be` understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several. parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except .as hereinafter claimed.

l claim:-

1. An apparatus for flattening out embossed printing plates pivotally connected .to provide a chain like strip comprising two rolls, means for supporting the same in close U proximity one to the other whereby .the peripheries are substantially in contact, intermeshinfy gears carried by adjacent ends of the rolls, a rotating medirun coaeting with `one of the rolls, each of said rolls adjacent to the gear being provided therearound with a circumferentially disposed groove whereby the working periphery of the roll is spaced from the gear, the working periphery of one of .the rolls being provided with transversely disposed and circumferentially spaced channels to receive the hinged connections between adjacent plates.

2. An apparatus for iiattening out embossed printing plates pivotally connected `to provide a chain like strip comprising two rolls, means for supporting the same in close proximity one to the other whereby the perpheries are substantially in contact, intermeshing gears carried by adjacent ends of the rolls, a rotating medium coacting with one of the rolls, each of said rolls adjacent to the gear being provided therearound with a circumferentially disposed groove whereby the Working periphery of the roll is spaced from the gear, the working periphery of one of the rolls being provided with transversely disposed and circumferentially spaced channels to receive the hinged connections between adjacent plates, and rollers coacting with the roll having said channels, said rollers contacting with the plate strip at opposite sides of the bite of the rolls to hold said strip in desired position for passage between the rolls.

3. An apparatus for flattening out embossed printing plates pivotally connected to provide a chain like strip comprising two rolls, means for supporting the same in close proximity one to the other whereby the peripheries are substantially in contact, intermeshing gears carried by adjacent ends of the rolls, a rotating medium coacting with one of the rolls, each of said rolls adjacent to the gear being provided therearound with a circumferentially disposed groove whereby the working periphery of the roll is spaced `from the gear, the working periphery of one of the rolls being provided with transversely disposed and circumferentially spaced channels to receive the hinged conto end, the second roller having its ends proneetions between adjacent plates, and rollers vided with outstanding flanges, one of said 10 ooaoting With the roll having Said channels, flanges extending Within the groove of the said rollers contacting with the plate strip roll provided with the channels, the second at opposite sides of the bite of the rolls to flange overlying the face of the roll.

hold said strip in desired position for pas- In testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my sage between the rolls, one of said rollers signature.

having its periphery vunobstruaz-tel from end VILLIAM R. SMITH. 

